In a tragic case unfolding in Missouri, a man has confessed to bathing his ex-wife’s 2-month-old daughter in scalding water and attempting to treat her severe burns with baby powder, according to police reports. The mother allegedly did not seek medical help for the infant, who later succumbed to her injuries. Following the heartbreaking incident, the mother reportedly set up a GoFundMe page in memory of the child.

Jonathan Gaona, 33, and Stephanie Hernandez, 29, are both facing charges of second-degree murder in Greene County related to the death of Hernandez’s daughter, Jaylynn. The infant passed away on February 11 due to complications arising from thermal burns, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit.

The examination carried out by the medical examiner revealed several factors contributing to Jaylynn’s death, including “blunt force head injuries, acute pneumonia, and methamphetamine toxicity,” according to the affidavit.

The distressing incident came to light on February 11, when the couple reported Jaylynn’s death. Both individuals were subsequently questioned by authorities about the circumstances leading up to her tragic demise.

Following the incident, Hernandez initiated a GoFundMe campaign, portraying herself as a grieving mother of six who had endured the loss of her 2-and-a-half-month-old baby. As reported by local CBS affiliate KOLR, the fundraiser had only gathered $202 towards its $5,000 target as of Sunday.

During police interviews, Gaona confessed to burning Jaylynn with hot bath water and physically abusing her, citing feelings of stress and being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caring for the infant, who was not his biological child, the affidavit reveals.

“Jonathan explained how he and Stephanie were divorced but living in the same residence,” the affidavit notes. “During the investigation, it was determined Stephanie’s paramour was actually [Jaylynn’s] biological father while Jonathan had taken on the role of raising [Jaylynn].”

Gaona confessed to putting Jaylynn in the bathtub, “turning on the hot water, getting distracted and overwhelmed by his other children, walking off, and then hearing [Jaylynn] scream,” according to the affidavit. He claimed the incident was “an accident because he got distracted,” then said he put Jaylynn back in her crib afterward, “not thinking much of it,” the affidavit says.

Gaona allegedly told police that after the bathtub burning incident, he found Jaylynn sitting in urine and when he went to dry her “her skin started peeling off” and hurting her. He admitted to not changing her for “half a day,” per the affidavit.

Asked why he didn’t go to the hospital, Gaona allegedly said he thought he could heal Jaylynn with cream and powder. “He thought the powder might turn hard and cure it ‘like a turtle,’” the affidavit says, noting how Gaona conducted internet searches using the phrase, “What to do for baby burns.”

Gaona went on to admit that he physically abused Jaylynn, including an incident where he “grabbed her by the ears, shaking her head back and forth,” because he was “stressed” out, according to the affidavit.

“I’m a monster,” Gaona allegedly told police. “Like really.”

Hernandez is accused of brushing off Jaylynn’s injuries and refusing to take her to the hospital for treatment of her burns, which ultimately led to her death. A woman that was staying with Hernandez and Gaona told police she tried taking the child to a hospital but Gaona and Hernandez repeatedly told her not to.

“Stephanie told detectives how she did not take [Jaylynn] to the hospital because she did not want to lose her children,” the affidavit alleges. “[Hernandez] then talked about how, ultimately, her actions resulted in her losing [Jaylynn].”

Gaona allegedly “begged” the female roommate not to call 911 and “told her no” when she asked to notify police, per the affidavit. The roommate did it anyway and that’s how authorities discovered what had happened.

Jaylynn was rushed to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. A police detective who went to the hospital reported the condition she was in before dying in the affidavit.

“A majority of her front torso was red in color and appeared to be missing the top layer of skin,” the detective said. “I also observed redness, consistent with a missing layer of skin, covering the front portion of left front thigh and a portion of the left side of her face. When she was rolled over, I observed the same redness, consistent with a missing layer of skin, covering the entire upper portion of her back.”

In addition to murder, Gaona is charged with abuse or neglect of a child — serious emotional or physical injury, no sexual contact, and child endangerment. Hernandez is also facing abuse or neglect of a child and child endangerment.

They were both ordered to be held without bond Friday. Their next court dates are not available online yet.

Hernandez’s GoFundMe description says she lives “paycheck to paycheck” and needs help paying for Jaylynn’s funeral expenses, KOLR reports.

“I would never ever think I’d be going through this hurt of having to bury one of my baby’s [sic],” Hernandez allegedly says. “All I want is to give her a decent not goodbye but see you later baby. As hard as it is too [sic] let you go my love I know your in a better place with God and you will no longer suffer in this what we tend to call life.”